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240
THE QUESTIONS OF KING MILINDA.
IV, 3, 18.
ture him, or bind him with bonds, or put him to death, or deprive him of his goods ?'
'Did then the Blessed One, O king, act with justice or not?'
With justice, Sir, and in a most fit and proper way. And when, Nâgasena, they hear of it the world of men and gods will be made tender of conscience, and afraid of falling into sin, struck with awe at the sight of it, and still more so when they themselves associate with wrong-doers, or do wrong.'
18. [172] . Now would a physician, O king, administer pleasant things as a medicine in a case where all the humours of the body were affected, and the whole frame was disorganised and full of disease?'
No. Wishing to put an end to the disease he would give sharp and scarifying drugs.'
'In the same way, O king, the Tathâgata bestows admonition for the sake of suppressing all the diseases of sin. And the words of the Tathagata, even when stern, soften men and make them tender. Just as hot water, O king, softens and makes tender anything capable of being softened, so are the words of the Tathagata, even when stern, yet as full of benefit, and as full of pity as the words of a father would be to his children. Just, О king, as the drinking of evil-smelling decoctions, the swallowing of nasty drugs, destroys the weaknesses of men's bodies, so are the words of the Tathagata, even when stern, bringers of advantage and laden with pity. And
i Hananti. But himsât kereti says the Simhalese.
· Gâpenti. Dr. Edward Müller thinks this a misprint for ghåpenti (Páli Grammar, p. 37). Dhanaya hânayen nirddhanika kereti is the Simhalese version.
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